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'''Fundamentalism''' is a pejorative term used primarily by [[liberals]] to criticize a [[conservative]] movement within Protestant Christianity which began in the early 20th century. Many [[Evangelical Christians]], especially [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptists]] have adopted its principled political positions and key theological elements such as [[Dispensationalism]]. It is a tendency found in numerous churches, but it is not an organized movement and has no national body or official statement.  By extension scholars have identified fundamentalist tendencies in non-Christian religions.

'''Fundamentalism''', as a religious movement, began in the early 20th century. Many [[Evangelical Christians]], including [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptists]], have adopted its principled political positions and key theological elements. It is a tendency found in numerous churches, but it is not an organized movement and has no national body or universally agreed-upon statement.  By extension, scholars have identified fundamentalist tendencies in non-Christian religions. The word is often used by [[liberals]] as a pejorative term directed against any [[conservative]] movement within Protestant Christianity.

===Definitions of Christian fundamentalism===

===Definitions of Christian fundamentalism===

The term "fundamentalist" is a historical term originating in the 1920s to describe a specific group of Protestants--including their beliefs and their behavior. Determining a precise meaning by which a Fundamentalist may be defined is often seen difficult to do, as in terms of beliefs there is great overlap with the general category of Evangelicals. In ''Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism'', George M. Marsden states:

The term "Fundamentalist" is a historical term originating in the 1920s to describe a specific group of Protestants--including their beliefs and their behavior. Determining a precise meaning by which a Fundamentalist may be defined is often difficult to do because there is great overlap of beliefs within the general category of Evangelicals. In ''Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism'', George M. Marsden states:

:an American fundamentalist is an evangelical who is militant in opposition to liberal theology in the churches or to changes in cultural values or mores, such as those associated with "secular humanism."  

:an American fundamentalist is an evangelical who is militant in opposition to liberal theology in the churches or to changes in cultural values or mores, such as those associated with "secular humanism."  

The term "fundamentalism" was coined by Baptist editor Curtis Lee Laws in 1920 to designate Christians who were ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals"; the term quickly was adopted by all sides.  

The term "fundamentalism" was coined by Baptist editor Curtis Lee Laws in 1920 to designate Christians who were ready "to do battle royal for the Fundamentals"; the term quickly was adopted by all sides.  

==Organizing the Fundamentalists==

==Organizing the Fundamentalists==

Fundamentalist movements were found in most Protestant denominations by 1919, with the debate between fundamentalists and modernists especially strong in [[Presbyterian]] and [[Baptist]] churches.   

Fundamentalist movements were found in most Protestant denominations by 1919, with the debate between fundamentalists and modernists especially strong in [[Presbyterian]] and [[Baptist]] churches.   

Although the fundamentalist drive of the 1920s to take control of the major Protestant denominations failed at the national level, the network of churches and missions developed and controlled by Riley indicates that fundamentalism was growing in strength, especially in [[The South]]. Both rural and urban in character, the flourishing movement acted as a denominational surrogate and aimed at a militant orthodoxy of evangelical Christianity.<ref> William Vance Trollinger, Jr. "Riley's Empire: Northwestern Bible School and Fundamentalism in the Upper Midwest". ''Church History'' 1988 57(2): 197-212. 0009-6407 </ref>

Although the fundamentalist drive of the 1920s to take control of the major Protestant denominations failed at the national level, the network of churches and missions developed and controlled by Riley indicates that fundamentalism was growing in strength, especially in [[The South]]. Both rural and urban in character, the flourishing movement acted as a denominational surrogate and aimed at a militant orthodoxy of evangelical Christianity.<ref> William Vance Trollinger, Jr. "Riley's Empire: Northwestern Bible School and Fundamentalism in the Upper Midwest". ''Church History'' 1988 57(2): 197-212. 0009-6407 </ref>

==Fighting evolution==

==Fighting evolution==

Fundamentalists in the 1920s devoted themselves to fighting the teaching of evolution in the nation's schools and colleges, both public and private.   

Fundamentalists in the 1920s devoted themselves to fighting the teaching of evolution in the nation's schools and colleges, both public and private.   

==Other states==

==Other states==

Webb (1991) traces the political and legal struggles between strict creationists and Darwinists to influence the extent to which evolution would be taught as science in Arizona and California schools. After Scopes was convicted, creationists throughout the United States sought similar antievolution laws for their states. These included Reverends R. S. Beal and Aubrey L. Moore in Arizona and members of the Creation Research Society in California, all supported by distinguished laymen. They sought to ban evolution as a topic for study or, at least, relegate it to the status of unproven theory perhaps taught alongside the biblical version of creation. Educators, scientists, and other distinguished laymen favored evolution. This struggle occurred later in the Southwest than in other US areas and persisted through the Sputnik era, which inspired increased faith in evolutionism.<ref>George E. Webb, "The Evolution Controversy in Arizona and California: From the 1920s to the 1980s." ''Journal of the Southwest'' 1991 33(2): 133-150. 0894-8410. See also  Christopher K. Curtis, "Mississippi's Anti-Evolution Law of 1926." ''Journal Of Mississippi History'' 1986 48(1): 15-29.  </ref>

Webb (1991) traces the political and legal struggles between strict creationists and Darwinists to influence the extent to which evolution would be taught as science in Arizona and California schools. After Scopes was convicted, creationists throughout the United States sought similar antievolution laws for their states. These included Reverends R. S. Beal and Aubrey L. Moore in Arizona and members of the Creation Research Society in California, all supported by distinguished laymen. They sought to ban evolution as a topic for study or, at least, relegate it to the status of unproven theory perhaps taught alongside the biblical version of creation. Educators, scientists, and other distinguished laymen favored evolution. This struggle occurred later in the Southwest than in other US areas and persisted through the Sputnik era, which inspired increased faith in evolutionism.<ref>George E. Webb, "The Evolution Controversy in Arizona and California: From the 1920s to the 1980s." ''Journal of the Southwest'' 1991 33(2): 133-150. 0894-8410. See also  Christopher K. Curtis, "Mississippi's Anti-Evolution Law of 1926." ''Journal Of Mississippi History'' 1986 48(1): 15-29.  </ref>

==Fundamentalism in various religions==

==Fundamentalism in various religions==

The term slowly came to mean all movements within religions that reject modernizing/liberalizing influences and attempt to stay true to the word of that religion's scriptures.  The term has been applied to Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.  Christian fundamentalism differs from Orthodoxy in its sole reliance on the Bible and disregard for previously established tradition.  Similarly, within Islam, the "fundamentalist" movements (such as [[Wahhabism]]) seek to remove perceived impurities in Islam and return it to the believed roots.  Unlike Christianity, however, these uncovered roots have spawned incredible amounts of violence.  "Fundamentalist" Hinduism is, in a way, a contradiction in terms.  Hinduism has no one sacred holy book, and thus no original scriptures to return to, and so the term is instead used to describe those Hindus who are intolerant of the existence of other religions (and occasionally non-Indians) in their communities.   

The term slowly came to mean all movements within religions that reject modernizing/liberalizing influences and attempt to stay true to the word of that religion's scriptures.  The term has been applied to Christians, Muslims, and Hindus.  Christian fundamentalism differs from Orthodoxy in its sole reliance on the Bible and disregard for previously established tradition.  Similarly, within Islam, the "fundamentalist" movements (such as [[Wahhabism]]) seek to remove perceived impurities in Islam and return it to the believed roots.  Unlike Christianity, however, these uncovered roots have spawned incredible amounts of violence.  "Fundamentalist" Hinduism is, in a way, a contradiction in terms.  Hinduism has no one sacred holy book, and thus no original scriptures to return to, and so the term is instead used to describe those Hindus who are intolerant of the existence of other religions (and occasionally non-Indians) in their communities.  

   

===Mormons===

===Mormons===

The term fundamentalist is also self-applied by a breakaway movement from The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], calling itself the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."  This group, whose leader was convicted on charges relating to child rape, claims to continue the original revelations of [[Joseph Smith]]. It is held to be apostate by the mainstream church, and cannot truly be called fundamentalist, as it ignores the doctrine of continuous revelation to the leaders of the church.

 

The term "fundamentalist" is also self-applied by a breakaway movement from The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], calling itself the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."  This group, which practices polygamy and whose leader was convicted on charges relating to child rape, claims to continue the original revelations of [[Joseph Smith]] who was a polygamist. It is considered to be an apostate group by the older church and cannot truly be called fundamentalist, in the Mormon context, because it ignores the doctrine of continuous revelation to the leaders of the church. It was one such revelation that caused the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to renounce polygamy approximately sixty years after the church's founding.  

===Jews===

===Jews===

There are no fundamentalist Jews, as all movements to return to the basic tenets of [[Judaism]] simply result in increased orthodoxy.  Judaism may be unique in this regard. Though according to scholars such as Samuel C. Heilman, Menachem Friedman, and Werner Backeberg, there are "truly fundamentalist Jews" who are "a minority of a minority of a minority (that is, approximately 30 percent of Orthodox Jewry, which itself is only about 15 percent of the approximately twelve million members of world Jewry)."<ref> Fundamentalism, Werner Backeberg (Faculty of Theology) Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research (IMER), University of Pretoria, p. 19 </ref><ref> [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fundamentalism-Observed/Martin-E-Marty/e/9780226508788 ''Fundamentalism Observed''], p. 198 </ref>

There are no fundamentalist Jews, as all movements to return to the basic tenets of [[Judaism]] simply result in increased orthodoxy.  Judaism may be unique in this regard. Though according to scholars such as Samuel C. Heilman, Menachem Friedman, and Werner Backeberg, there are "truly fundamentalist Jews" who are "a minority of a minority of a minority (that is, approximately 30 percent of Orthodox Jewry, which itself is only about 15 percent of the approximately twelve million members of world Jewry)."<ref> Fundamentalism, Werner Backeberg (Faculty of Theology) Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research (IMER), University of Pretoria, p. 19 </ref><ref> [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fundamentalism-Observed/Martin-E-Marty/e/9780226508788 ''Fundamentalism Observed''], p. 198 </ref>

==Israel and Christian fundamentalism==

==Israel and Christian fundamentalism==

See [[Christian Zionism]]

See [[Christian Zionism]]

Historically speaking, the vast and overwhelming majority of American Fundamentalists have been and remain [[zionism|zionists]].  Fundamentalist-evangelicals rejoiced when part of Jerusalem was annexed after the 1967 six day war, whereas the [[National Council of Churches]] denounced Israel.  Liberal Christianity called for the "internationalization" of Jerusalem throughout the 1960s, while Fundamentalists expressed their hope for Biblical [[prophecy]]: God promised Jerusalem to Israel.<ref name=Rausch>''[http://books.google.com/books?id=-BPjHQAACAAJ Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918: A Convergence of Two Traditions]'', David A. Rausch, Edwin Mellen Press, 1979, ISBN 9-88946-875-3, ISBN 0-88946-976-8, p.4 </ref>   

Historically speaking, the majority of American Fundamentalists have been and remain [[zionism|zionists]].  Fundamentalist-evangelicals rejoiced when part of Jerusalem was annexed after the 1967 six day war, whereas the [[National Council of Churches]] denounced Israel.  Liberal Christianity called for the "internationalization" of Jerusalem throughout the 1960s, while Fundamentalists expressed their hope for Biblical [[prophecy]]: God promised Jerusalem to Israel.<ref name=Rausch>''[http://books.google.com/books?id=-BPjHQAACAAJ Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918: A Convergence of Two Traditions]'', David A. Rausch, Edwin Mellen Press, 1979, ISBN 9-88946-875-3, ISBN 0-88946-976-8, p.4 </ref>   

===Differences between liberal and fundamentalist Christians ===

===Differences between liberal and fundamentalist Christians ===

There are three main differences between [[liberal Christianity|liberal Christian theology]] and fundamentalism-evangelicalism that affect their respective attitudes toward Jewish people. These differences<ref name=Rausch/> are:

There are three main differences between [[liberal Christianity|liberal Christian theology]] and fundamentalism-evangelicalism that affect their respective attitudes toward Jewish people. These differences<ref name=Rausch/> are:

#Fundamentalism's literal interpretation of [[prophecy]] versus Liberalism's spiritual interpretation.

#Fundamentalism's literal interpretation of [[prophecy]] versus Liberalism's spiritual interpretation.